Ansonia celebrates Irish heritage Saturday in rain

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti recognized lifelong Ansonia resident Horace Behrle, above, by naming him Mayor for the Day on Saturday. 
Behrle, who was born 79 years ago in a tenement on Main Street, said he was honored to have the opportunity. He joked, "Everybody gets a raise."  
Over the years Behrle has served on several city boards and commissions, and volunteers as an ambassador at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby. 

Behrle had the honor of raising the Irish flag with Cassetti. The Irish flag will fly for a week at City Hall.

After raising the flag in the pouring rain, Behrle shares a laugh with, from left, Alderman Lorie Vaccaro, Economic Development Director Sheila O'Malley, and Mayor David S. Cassetti.

The Rev. Jeff Gubbiotti, pastor, Church of the Assumption in Ansonia, waits under cover for the ceremony to start. He offered an invocation and a blessing. 

Ansonia High School music teacher Maria Tangredi, right, and senior Jennifer Godfrey, chorus co-president, sing the Star Spangled Banner at the flag-raising ceremony. 

Rain doesn't stop the dancers from Kathleen Mulkerin School of Irish Dance in West Haven from strutting their stuff. 

Great job! Their teacher, Kathy Carew, said the dancers are scheduled to give 30 performances Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day. 

Mayor David S. Cassetti, at podium, listens to Irish music performed by Take Four, a Trumbull-based a cappella quartet. The members are from left, David Hunter, Scott Parch, Jordan Kugler, Victor Lembo.


State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, an Ansonia resident, was on hand for the festivities, and DJ Phyllis Kaplan played Irish music. Gentile said it was all about "tradition."

The event was hosted by the city's Cultural Commission.